An auto tune up is one of the most effective ways to maintain your vehicle's performance. While this is true of all vehicles, and auto tune up is much more hands on involving older vehicles. A lot of differences exist between cars built a few decades ago and the automobiles which are built today. Therefore, performing an auto tune up naturally varies depending on the make and model a vehicle that is in question.

An auto tune up on an older vehicle is typically fairly straightforward. A proper auto tune up often involves changing the spark plugs and the wires and may also involve putting a new distributor cap on the vehicle. Installing a new air filter is usually also involved when conducting an auto tune up. For older vehicles, an auto tune up of this type will get you back on the road without any problems. After an auto tune up you are likely to notice that the vehicle performs better and even gets better gas mileage.

An auto tune up on a newer vehicle however usually needs to be performed either by a certified mechanic or by someone who has the necessary tools and knowledge involved in working on vehicles that are operated by an on-board computer. An auto tune up of this type still involves changing spark plugs and wires, but also involves looking at the myriad of sensors that provide information to an on-board computer. Sensors that need to be replaced should be, but it is important to utilize extreme caution when performing this task. If the sensors are damaged and do not provide the proper information to the on-board computer the vehicle is likely to either run poorly or it may not run at all. Therefore, it might be a good idea to allow an experienced mechanic to perform an auto tune up on a newer vehicle that is equipped with these types of sensors.

The benefits of an auto tune up are many. Performing an auto tune up allows the vehicle to have increased fuel economy and improved performance. In addition, having an auto tune up is a good way to keep the vehicle running well over a period of several years. Without an auto tune up the vehicle is subject to performance deficiencies due to old worn out parts. Over a period of time this can cause permanent damage to expensive components such as the engine. Therefore an auto tune up is important in order to avoid problems associated with neglected maintenance.

The costs involved with an auto tune up are largely determined by the type of vehicle that parts are needed for. Older vehicles tend to cost less than newer vehicles, as the sensors involved with computer operated automobiles are much more expensive. Regardless of the cost of the auto tune up it is much more cost effective to ensure that the vehicle receives an auto tune up when needed as opposed to having to pay for expensive repairs later. Getting a tune up for your vehicle is therefore an essential component of keeping it operating well so that you have a reliable vehicle available when you need it.